Blue to Green question

[BR9545]

Sirs,
Good Evening. Let me start off my intro, im an active duty E-5 in the USN, currently stationed overseas. Ive been in for just barely over 4 years (it felt like 4 days). I currently work in the Law Enforcement field but am a Gunners Mate by trade. As some of you may know the Navy is downsizing, and my rate, GM, is one they have included in that. I wish to continue to serve my Country, but it looks like i wont be able to in the Navy. I have researched the Blue to Green option and im now sure that i have found what i want to do. I wish to do the BtG program with 18x on the contract. Now, for the confusing part. Being that i like to research things first. the numero uno place i went is to Goarmy.com. I spoke with the online recruiter and was very specific about what i wanted and if i could obtain it. They specifically stated "yes" and had me fill out some questions and sent some info on the BtG, which included nothing about 18x being an option. So next i call my local recruiter, he stated he didnt know, and to call MEPS. So next, I call MEPS and the Army Liason stated "I had a snowballs chance in hell". Not taking that for a satisfactory answer, i call the SF Recruiting hotline. I explained the situation in which his answer was "That program is too new, I dont know anything about it or its options". Still not accepting defeat, i PMed an SF Recruiter on SOCNet (he went by that name) and asked him the same question, and according to the PM tracking, he has never read the PM which was sent a month ago. Gentlemen, i humbly post here seeking something hopefully positive and concrete as my ETS date is nigh. I want the 18x program via the BtG, dont care about keeping rank, dont care about bonuses, I just want the job. I apologize that this post is so long and/or confusing. Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance for your time.

Very Respectfully,
BR9545

[The Reaper]

I do not believe that you are eligible for the 18X option, which is an initial entry option.

As long as you are an E-4 to E-6 (P), you can apply for SFAS with a DA 4187 and if you succeed, can PCS once you have fulfilled your stabilization requirement.

If you manage to get assigned to Ft Bragg, the stabilization issue would be moot, but your Chain of Command will likely hate you.

Best of luck!

TR

[BR9545]

Sir,
Thank you for your reply! Its not the answer i wanted to hear but, im not gonna let it stop me. Until then, i will be the best Soldier I can be. But i will see you Sir! Thank you again.

Very respectfully,
BR9545

[Hooahman]

It seems when your a prior you dont get many options when it comes to re-enlisiting. You may want to ask 18C4V some questions. Or goto the Guard section on the boards and all the contact numbers are there for your area. As I had the same problem with the AD recruiter so I am going the NG route. maybe not a option for you but something to think about if you really want to go SF as I did and nothing else would be acceptable. just something to think about.

PM sent also.


JB

_____________
Cursum Perficio

[BR9545]

Thanks Bro!
PM shot back at ya..

[BR9545]

Good Morning Gentlemen,

I have an update for any other lurkers or regulars who might be in the situation described above. Several weeks ago I befriended two Colonels from the SOCOM COC. I explained my situation (stated above) to which their reply was "It shouldnt be like that" and that as soon as they returned to the office this would be run to ground. I have since been corresponding with one of the Colonels, a SORC recruiter, and a MR. xxxxx from the HRC. The word is, if your COC of command is willing to release you then you can go 18X via BtG. Now as per the SORC, the pipeline will not differ from the initial entry 18X other than you will attend the 4 week warror transition course instead of BCT. 11B OSUT, Airborne, etc, etc will remain the same for you (unless you are a former 03' Marine). So this being said, the BtG option solely teeters on YOUR branch and COC releasing you from your EAOS. If that is an issue, then the SORC stated that it would just be easier to ETS, and go to your hometown recruiter as a prior service and join up 18X. If MEPS gives you flak, and you definatley qualify, then SORC said they will get involved. Its not a perfect solution, but it is a workable path. As Hooahman stated, the NGSF is available for you, but personally I want Active duty. So you make your decision. If you need specific contacts for anyone stated above then feel free to PM me. I dont feel comfortable putting names out on the net. This is the "word" I got. HTH

Very Respectfully,
BR9545

[VAKEMP]

This is an old thread, but it both brought up questions and later answered them for me.

The recruiter I spoke to told me that 18X was an option for me, and that my unit would have to sign a DD-368 (conditional release), which would allow me to transition from the Marine Corps into the Army when my EAS (ETS) comes up. He also mentioned that I would attend a 4-week course and Airborne before SOPC.

This sounds about right based on BR9545's previous post, so I guess this is a confirmation more than anything else.

However, my package is not complete and I have nothing in writing yet. So, once I get a confirmation one way or another I will post an update.

R/S,
VAKE

[gizmo5]

Gentlemen,

Add another "Blue to Green" to the list. I just received my 18X contract, AFPC has set my release date and there will be no break in service. Just one easy switch from the Air Force to the Army.

Ofcourse, that will be my last easy day....

[gizmo5]

VAKEMP, you do not have to wait until you separate from the Marines. The 368 is a release to separate early. I still had 2 years left in my AF enlistment. I put in 4 and then got the paper signed by my commander. Once he agreed to do it was sent up to Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) and they put their stamp of approval on it. Once that was all said and done I just had to get the contract I wanted from the Army.

A few tries later and bam, 18X.

Hope this helps.

[VAKEMP]

gizmo5:
I know this is an old thread, so I apologize for the amount of time it has taken me to respond.

In reference to your last post, I would have had to wait until my EAS to go into the Army due to having under one year remaining on my contract. I actually only had two months left on my contract at the time of my previous post.

I hope your training is going well.

R/S,
VAKE

[l0n9john]

This is an old thread, hopefully I still get some sort of response.

I'm in a "cross-flow-in" career field in the AF, and AFPC is saying I cannot transfer out of it until May 2014, at which time my target YG application for 18A will be up.

2 Questions:
-Does anyone have any strategies for convincing AFPC to change their mind and give me a letter of release earlier than Dec 2011?
-How hard is it to get Out Of YG waivers if I truly cannot get the letter of release?

Thanks,
John

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by l0n9john

This is an old thread, hopefully I still get some sort of response.

I'm in a "cross-flow-in" career field in the AF, and AFPC is saying I cannot transfer out of it until May 2014, at which time my target YG application for 18A will be up.

2 Questions:
-Does anyone have any strategies for convincing AFPC to change their mind and give me a letter of release earlier than Dec 2011?
-How hard is it to get Out Of YG waivers if I truly cannot get the letter of release?

Thanks,
John

1. No idea, short of extortion.

2. I wouldn't count on it. We have plenty of green suiters in the YGs we need. Exceptions are few and infrequent, AFAIK. You may be able to work an angle through Guard channels, if they want to give you a shot.

We sometimes have to live with our decisions, and the consequences.

TR

[l0n9john]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

1. No idea, short of extortion.

2. I wouldn't count on it. We have plenty of green suiters in the YGs we need. Exceptions are few and infrequent, AFAIK. You may be able to work an angle through Guard channels, if they want to give you a shot.

We sometimes have to live with our decisions, and the consequences.

TR

Extortion: rog, I'll start my list of names and hire a PI for blackmailing purposes.

YGs: Also noted.

Consequences: At this point the greater consequence would be to not try. Taking Warrior Mentor's and Get Selected Advice, my 80 year old front porch test would dictate that. I also got in touch with a couple of B2G guys and have a "road map" laid out now.

Thanks for the hasty reply TR.

[MightMonkey]

Originally Posted by l0n9john

This is an old thread, hopefully I still get some sort of response.

I'm in a "cross-flow-in" career field in the AF, and AFPC is saying I cannot transfer out of it until May 2014, at which time my target YG application for 18A will be up.

2 Questions:
-Does anyone have any strategies for convincing AFPC to change their mind and give me a letter of release earlier than Dec 2011?
-How hard is it to get Out Of YG waivers if I truly cannot get the letter of release?

Thanks,
John

1. Try working through your command first. I know that, once I'd gotten it blessed by my squadron and group commanders, the deputy group commander actually got ahold of my functional at AFPC to work the process for me. It's a bit different from cross flow vs. B2G. AFPC and my functional initially said they wouldn't release me, but my command supported me and endorsed my interservice transfer app. AFPC ended up signing off, even though my YG isn't on the list, as they have to reduce numbers overall and my command supported it. (Your wing commander also has to sign off). If I'd just worked it myself I don't think I would have gotten the same response. Plus, if you're looking for an OOYGW, you'll need your group commander to sign it anyways (first O-6 in the chain, since the AF typically doesn't have them any lower than that).

2. I'm a 17D, YG 2007, and I was just approved a week ago for release by the AF. But, since I'll be YG 07 in the Army as well, I had to submit my OOYGW request to the DSOP board that's meeting now (may have already met?) to consider them. They'll allow you to write an MFR (note: needs to be Army-style, slightly different than AF) explaining what you're missing and why. They actually didn't ask for the release letter from AFPC, just the O-6 recommendation. I was deployed until a week ago, and accomplished everything I could from my location and just MFR'd the rest, per my SORB recruiter's instructions. Hopefully I'll hear in the next week or so if I get to go to SFAS. But, without the O-6 recommendation you'll end up dead in the water anyways.

The paperwork process from AF to Army is a bit painful, but they also don't see it a lot. For the most part, I was able to get prep-type questions answered by searching and lurking on here. Getting an Army physical from an AF Med Group is also difficult (even though it's nothing special), but that's ops normal for them. My SORB recruiter wasn't all that helpful, but once I got the regs/paperwork/etc all laid out for him he got it submitted. Your SF package is like your personnel records: no one cares as much about it as you do.

A bit longer than I intended, but I know when I was searching on here there wasn't much info to be found.

[l0n9john]

Thanks Monkey, all good info.